Sam F. Davis Stakes winner John Hancock. (SV Photography)
Derby Dispatch
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—A competitive field of ten 3-year-olds, led by Sam F. Davis Stakes winner John Hancock, will take center stage in the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
The 1 3/16-mile race, the longest North American Derby prep to date, will award 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points to the top five finishers for a spot in the starting gate in the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) on Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs. The 112th running of the Louisiana Derby headlines a stakes-filled closing weekend, which also features the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) and offers 200 Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifying points. The Louisiana Derby goes as Race 12 at 6:42 p.m. (all times Eastern).
Owned by CHC & WinStar Farm, John Hancock has been installed as the 7-2 morning-line favorite for trainer Brad Cox. The son of Constitution solidified his Derby credentials in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs where he went gate-to-wire to defeat eventual Tampa Bay Derby (GIII) winner Owen Almighty. Flavien Pratretains the mount and will guide John Hancock from the rail.
Cox, the meet’s leading trainer, also will saddle Instant Replay, a Gary and Mary West homebred who exits a five-length allowance victory at Fair Grounds. The Maximum Security colt made a powerful move from last under Florent Geroux, who returns to ride from post 9. Cox is aiming for back-to-back Louisiana Derby wins after taking last year’s edition with Catching Freedom.
The 9-2 second choice on the morning line is Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Built, a consistent player on the Fair Grounds Derby prep circuit. Trained by Wayne Catalano, Built won the Gun Runner Stakes, finished second in the Lecomte (GIII) and was third in the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star (GII). Jose Ortiz, the meet’s leading rider, will ride the Hard Spun colt, who will break from post 6.
Risen Star runner-up Chunk of Gold returns for trainer Ethan West and owner Terry Stephens, seeking to add to his 25 Derby qualifying points. The Preservationist colt, who started his career at Turfway Park, will be ridden again by Jareth Loveberry from post 2.
Hall of Fame trainer Wayne Lukas will be represented by Caldera, the Sunland Derby (GIII) runner-up, who is listed at 5-1. Tyler Gaffalione picks up the mount on the Runhappy colt, who will break from post 5.
Also exiting the Risen Star is Vassimo, trained byTodd Pletcher, who made a strong late run to finish fourth in his first stakes try. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides from post 7.
LOUISIANA DERBY QUOTES
Chunk of Gold (trainer Ethan West): “He impressed us in the Risen Star with how he was able to handle adversity in the race having to start and stop his motion. This was the next logical spot to take him after running second in the Risen Star. We are based at Turfway so we kept the Jeff Ruby Steaks as an option, but I think this racetrack suits him a little better for his late-running style because of the longer stretch. There looks to be a lot of pace in front of him that should allow him to come with his late run. He’s done everything right after the Risen Star so that always gives you confidence in a young horse.”
Instant Replay (trainer Brad Cox): “The Louisiana Derby made the most sense for his next start after his performance over this track in his last start. I was most impressed by how he physically looked after that race.”
Tiztastic (trainer Steve Asmussen): “I was a little disappointed in his race in the Southwest. He was set up to move forward and I thought ran a fairly even race. He trains better at the Fair Grounds than Oaklawn. I thought his work with Clever Again was the best he’s ever had. I have a feeling he prefers the surface at Fair Grounds compared to Oaklawn.”
Yinzer (trainer Steve Asmussen): “Yinzer put in a very fast maiden win on the Risen Star undercard and deserves this opportunity. He put in a very nice work in company going into the Louisiana Derby. It was a big step up. If the racetrack plays like it did in the Risen Star, he’ll obviously have a say in it.”
How To Watch The Jeff Ruby Steaks, Louisiana Derby
> Watch the Jeff Ruby Steaks and Louisiana Derby on CNBC’s Road to the Kentucky Derby coverage with Ahmed Fareed, Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss. Live streaming is available on Peacock.
> FanDuel TV will have live, on-site coverage at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park.
> Stream live on TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.
